Max Bygraves
Max Bygraves | |
---|---|
![]() Bygraves in 1976 | |
Born | Walter William Bygraves 16 October 1922 Rotherhithe,London, England |
Died | 31 August 2012 Hope Island, Queensland,Australia | (aged 89)
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1943–2006 |
Spouse |
Gladys "Blossom" Murray
(m.1942; died 2011) |
Children | 6 |
Walter William "Max" BygravesOBE(16 October 1922 – 31 August 2012) was an English comedian, singer, actor and variety performer. He appeared on his own television shows, sometimes performing comedy sketches between songs. He made twentyRoyal Variety Performanceappearances and presented numerous programmes, includingFamily Fortunesbetween 1983 and 1985. His catchphrase "I wanna tell you a story" became an integral part of his act, although it had originated with comedianMike Yarwoodimpersonating Bygraves.
Early life
[edit]Bygraves was born to Henry and Lillian (néeMcDonnell) Bygraves (who wed in 1919) inRotherhithein London,[1]where he grew up in a two-room council flat in Park Buildings, Paradise Street[citation needed]with his five siblings, his parents and a grandparent.[2]His father was a professional flyweightboxer,known as Battling Tom Smith, and a casual dockworker.[3]Brought up Catholic, he attended St Joseph's School, Paradise Street,Rotherhithe,and sang with his school choir atWestminster Cathedral.[1]
He left school at 14, working at the Savoy Hotel in London as a pageboy, but was sacked for being too tall. He later put some of his success as a variety performer down to his lanky physique. He was 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall, but weighed only 13 stone (83 kg) in adult life. He then became a messenger for W S Crawfords, an advertising agency at 233 High Holborn before serving as a fitter in theRoyal Air Forcein theSecond World Warand working as a carpenter.[4]He changed his name to Max Bygraves in honour of comedianMax Miller.[citation needed]
Career
[edit]After the end of the war, Bygraves worked on building sites, while entertaining in pubs in the evenings. An early variety stage appearance in January 1945 was at the Grand, Clapham with a review stating "A new impressionist. Max Bygraves, is also a lad to be watched. He has a little to learn in the art of showmanship, but not much, but there is no denying the brilliance of his impersonations."[5]
In August 1946, he toured in avariety showwithFrankie Howerd,[6]who in turn introduced him toEric Sykes,and they began writing routines together. With Sykes, he also developed the radio showEducating Archie,starringventriloquistPeter Broughand his dummyArchie Andrews,and featuring Bygraves in the role of Archie's teacher. The idea for the programme came from record producerWally Ridley,who produced Bygraves' records during the 1950s.[7]
In July 1950, he made his first appearance at theLondon PalladiumsupportingAbbott and Costello,[8]and in 1951 he supportedJudy Garlandin her appearance there.[9]Arising from this, she invited him to perform at thePalaceinNew Yorkin October 1951.[10]
Bygraves became a successful recording artist with seven top ten hits on theUK Singles Chartbetween 1952 and 1960.[11]Many werenovelty songs.One of his most popular recordings, "You Need Hands" in 1958, was written by Bygraves under the pseudonym Roy Irwin (or Erwin), a name picked at random from a telephone directory. He also wrote its follow-up, "Gotta Have Rain".[7]His producer Wally Ridley said of Bygraves:
Max's great talent was that he could punch lines, which was absolutely great for us. We'd give him songs with very short lines and he'd punch them out marvellously. Give him a long line and he would stumble over it, although I just flipped when I was given "Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen by the Sea". I thought, "Fabulous, fabulous, this is a major hit for us." I took it to Max and his wife, Blossom, said, "That's no good, what does it mean?"... The song was absolutely perfect for Max and its whole secret was "What the hell does it mean?"[7]
He also occasionally worked as an actor, appearing in British films includingBless 'Em All(1948) andTom Brown's Schooldays(1951). Bygraves appeared as himself in the 1954 British film musicalHarmony Lanedirected by Lewis Gilbert, and 'What Now, Davros!', with Helen Ball. He portrayed the title character in the 1956 filmCharley Moonand starred in the 1961 dramaSpare the Rod.[7]In 1959, Bygraves bought the past and future rights to theLionel BartmusicalOliver!for £350 at a time when Bart was experiencing severe financial difficulties. Bygraves later sold them for £250,000.[12]
In the 1950s and 1960s, Bygraves appeared as a guest on several television variety programmes, both in the UK and United States. These includedEd Sullivan,Jack BennyandJackie Gleason,in America. He was the subject ofThis Is Your Lifein 1961 when he was surprised byEamonn Andrewswhile rehearsing his new show,Do Re Miat London'sPrince of Wales Theatre.He appeared in several TV series including the sitcomRoamin' Holidayand the variety showsMaxandMax Bygraves at the Royalty.[7]From 1983 to 1985, Bygraves hostedFamily Fortunes,taking over from his friend and fellow comedianBob Monkhouse.He would later be succeeded as host in 1987 byLes Dennis.[13]
From 1972, Bygraves recorded a series of albums,Sing Along With Max(laterSingalongamax), in which he sang medleys of familiar songs aimed at an older audience. The albums, forPye Records,sold millions of copies and led to spinoff shows and more recordings.[7]In 1977, UK publishing houseW. H. Allenpublished Bygraves' comic novelThe Milkman's on His Way.[14]
Bygraves' catchphrase was said to be: "I wanna tell you a story". It was actuallyMike Yarwoodwho made up that phrase,[according to whom?]from Bygraves' "I want to tell you a joke", though Bygraves adopted Yarwood's version as the title of his own memoirs.[according to whom?]Another well-known phrase of his was "That's a good idea, son!".[7]
Honours
[edit]In 1982, Bygraves was made an Officer of theOrder of the British Empire(OBE).[15]
Personal life
[edit]Bygraves marriedWAAFsergeant Gladys "Blossom" Murray in 1942. The couple had three children.[16]Bygraves also had three other children from extramarital affairs.[citation needed]
On 9 August 1974, Bygraves became trapped on a cliff-face near his house inWestbourne,Bournemouth, while attempting to retrieve a kite flown by his grandson Michael which had become stuck beneath the edge of the cliff. Bygraves suffered friction burns on his hands and was in shock when police and firefighters helped him to safety.[17]In 1999, Bygraves underwent treatment for an ear disorder, having cancelled a number of performances on his doctor's advice.[18]
He and Blossom Bygraves moved from Bournemouth toQueensland,Australia, in 2008. She died there in 2011 at the age of 88.[19]
Death
[edit]Bygraves was diagnosed withAlzheimer's diseasein 2010, and he died from complications of this illness at his daughter's home inHope Island, Queensland,Australia on the evening of 31 August 2012.[20]
Television
[edit]- Whack-O!(1960)
- The Royal Variety Performance(1961; 1963 etc.)
- The Jack Benny Program(1963, season 13, episode 13)
- It's Sad About Eddie(1964)
- Max Bygraves meets The Black and White Minstrels (1965, 1 episode)[21]
- MaxThames Television (1968–72 includingThe Max Bygraves Hour1970 andThe Max Bygraves Show1972)[22][23]
- Max at the Royalty(1972)
- SingalongaMax(1973)
- MaxATV (1974)
- Max Bygraves Says "I Wanna Tell You a Story"(1975–77)[24]
- Max's Holiday Hour(1977)
- Lingalongamax(1978–80 including hour long specialFrom Max with Love1979)[25]
- MaxThames Television (1981)
- Max Rolls On(1982)
- Max Bygraves – Side by Side(1982)[26]
- Family Fortunes(1983–85, 42 episodes)
- The Mind of David Berglas(1986)
- Call Up the Stars(1995)
- Against the Odds RAF Documentary(2001)
Partial filmography
[edit]- Bless 'Em All(1948)[27]
- The Nitwits on Parade(1949)
- Skimpy in the Navy(1949)
- Tom Brown's Schooldays(1951)
- Charley Moon(1956)
- A Cry from the Streets(1958)
- Bobbikins(1959)
- Spare the Rod(1961)
- The Alf Garnett Saga(1972)
- The Jigsaw Man(1983) Uncredited cameo appearance (policeman)
Discography
[edit]Chart singles
[edit]Year | Single | Chart Positions | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
UK[11] | ||||
1952 | "Cowpuncher's Cantata" | 6 | ||
1954 | "Heart of My Heart" | 7 | ||
"Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen By The Sea" | 7 | |||
1955 | "Mr Sandman" | 16 | ||
"Meet Me on the Corner" | 2 | |||
1956 | "Ballad of Davy Crockett" | 20 | ||
"Out of Town" | 18 | |||
1957 | "Heart" | 16 | ||
1958 | "You Need Hands" / "Tulips from Amsterdam" | 3 | ||
"Little Train" / "Gotta Have Rain" | 28 | |||
1959 | "My Ukulele" | 19 | ||
"Jingle Bell Rock" | 7 | |||
1960 | "Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be" | 5 | ||
"Consider Yourself" | 50 | |||
1961 | "Bells of Avignon" | 36 | ||
1969 | "You're My Everything" | 34 | ||
1973 | "Deck of Cards" | 13 | ||
1989 | "White Christmas" | 71 |
Albums
[edit]- Show Stoppers(1962)
- Sing Along with Max(1972) No. 4
- Sing Along with Max Vol. 2(1972) No. 11
- Singalongamax Vol. 3(1973) No. 5
- Singalongamax Vol. 4(1973) No. 7
- Singalongapartysong(1973) No. 15
- You Make Me Feel Like Singing a Song(1974) No. 39
- Singalongaxmas(1974) No. 21
- 100 Golden Greats(1976) No. 3
- Lingalongamax(1978) No. 39
- Discolongamax(1979) No. 47
- The Song and Dance Men(1978) No. 67
- Singalongawaryears(1989) No. 5
- Singalongawaryears Volume 2(1989) No. 33
References
[edit]- ^ab"Max Bygraves obituary".The Guardian.1 September 2012.Retrieved30 January2022.
- ^"Max Bygraves BBC obituary".BBC News. September 2012.Retrieved1 September2012.
- ^Mercer, Laurie."Max Bygraves bio".AllMusic.Retrieved30 May2010.
- ^"Obituary. Retrieved 1 September 2012".The Daily Telegraph.London.
- ^"The Stage".The Stage:3. 18 January 1945.
- ^"Nottingham Evening Post".Nottingham Evening Post:3. 6 August 1946.
- ^abcdefg"Max Bygraves: Entertainer who won the nation's hearts with his songs".The Independent.2 September 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 12 May 2022.Retrieved30 January2022.
- ^"The Stage".The Stage:2. 20 July 1950.
- ^"The Stage".The Stage:2. 5 April 1951.
- ^"Daily News (New York)".Daily News (New York):57. 18 September 1951.
- ^abBetts, Graham (2004).Complete UK Hit Singles 1952–2004(1st ed.). London: Collins. p. 120.ISBN0-00-717931-6.
- ^"Max Bygraves – Obituaries".The Stage.Retrieved15 February2013.
- ^"Max Bygraves, Veteran Entertainer, Dies Aged 89".Sky News.1 September 2012.
- ^Bygraves, Max (1977).The milkman's on his way.London: Allen.ISBN0-491-02290-5.OCLC3607418.
- ^"Fans send Max Bygraves best wishes from Bournemouth".Bournemouth Echo.4 April 2012.Retrieved30 January2022.
- ^Barker, Dennis (1 September 2012)."Max Bygraves obituary".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved15 February2023.
- ^"Max Bygraves rescued from cliffs".The Glasgow Herald.10 August 1974. p. 7.
- ^"Entertainment: Bygraves suffers ear problems".BBC News (BBC). 21 May 1999.Retrieved25 October2012.
- ^"Max Bygraves dies at Australian home aged 89".The Guardian.1 September 2012.Retrieved19 July2022.
- ^"Veteran entertainer Max Bygraves dies".BBC News. 1 September 2012.Retrieved30 January2022.
- ^"The Black and White Minstrel Show (partially found BBC TV series; 1957–1978) – The Lost Media Wiki".lostmediawiki.Retrieved11 December2022.
- ^"BFI &No. 124; Film & TV Database &No. 124; MAX".British Film Institute. Archived fromthe originalon 25 January 2009.Retrieved1 September2012.
- ^"BFI &No. 124; Film & TV Database &No. 124; MAX".British Film Institute. Archived fromthe originalon 24 December 2012.Retrieved1 September2012.
- ^"BFI &No. 124; Film & TV Database &No. 124; Max Bygraves Says" I Wanna Tell You a Story "".British Film Institute. Archived fromthe originalon 24 December 2012.Retrieved1 September2012.
- ^"BFI &No. 124; Film & TV Database &No. 124; The DESERT SONG".British Film Institute. Archived fromthe originalon 23 December 2012.Retrieved1 September2012.
- ^"BFI &No. 124; Film & TV Database &No. 124; Max Bygraves – Side By Side".British Film Institute. Archived fromthe originalon 24 December 2012.Retrieved1 September2012.
- ^"Bless 'em All (1948)".BFI.Archived fromthe originalon 6 May 2016.Retrieved15 February2023.
- ^"The Official Charts Company – Max Bygraves".Official Charts Company. 5 May 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 30 June 2013.
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Wikiquote-logo.svg/34px-Wikiquote-logo.svg.png)
- Max BygravesatIMDb
- Portraits of Max Bygravesat theNational Portrait Gallery, London
- Max Bygravesdiscography atDiscogs
- 1922 births
- 2012 deaths
- Deaths from Alzheimer's disease in Australia
- Neurological disease deaths in Queensland
- English comedy musicians
- English expatriates in Australia
- English game show hosts
- English male film actors
- English male singers
- English male television actors
- English Roman Catholics
- Military personnel from the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
- Military personnel from the London Borough of Southwark
- Pye Records artists
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- Male actors from London
- People from Dagenham
- Musicians from Bournemouth
- Royal Air Force personnel of World War II
- Singers from the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
- Singers from the London Borough of Southwark
- 20th-century English comedians
- 21st-century English comedians
- British novelty song performers
- Royal Air Force airmen
- Decca Records artists
- Philips Records artists
- Male actors from Bournemouth
- Actors from the London Borough of Southwark
- Comedians from the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
- Comedians from the London Borough of Southwark
- Comedians from Hampshire
- Actors from the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
- People from Rotherhithe